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Guadalupe Mountains National Park: fees, hours, camping and when to visit
Guadalupe Mountains National Park is a National Park in Texas[5]. NPS lists an entrance fee of $10 per person for visitors 16 and older[6].
Entrance fees and passes
Fees as listed by the National Park Service. Fees change, so confirm on the park's official fees page before you go.
The America the Beautiful pass is accepted here[8].
America the Beautiful passes cover entrance fees at national parks and other federal recreation sites.
| Pass | Who can get it | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Resident Annual Pass[9] | US citizens and residents | $80 |
| Non-Resident Annual Pass[9] | Non-US residents | $250 |
| Senior Annual Pass[9] | US citizens and residents 62+ years old | $20 |
| Senior Lifetime Pass[9] | US citizens and residents 62+ years old | $80 |
| Military Annual Pass[9] | Current US military and dependents | Free |
| Military Lifetime Pass[9] | Gold Star Family members and veterans | Free |
| Access Pass[9] | US citizens and residents with permanent disability | Free |
| 4th Grade Pass[9] | US 4th graders | Free |
| Volunteer Pass[9] | Federal recreation site volunteers with 250 service hours | Free |
When to visit and hours
NPS lists March as the busiest month in 2025 with 30,339 recreation visits, and January as the quietest with 8,692[1]. NPS describes high winds year-round, with gusts that can reach 60MPH or higher[10]. From May through October, NPS lists highs between 80F-100F+[10]. NPS describes November to April as generally milder, with highs between 50F-70F[10]. The Pine Springs area is listed as open all of the time during normal operations[11]. McKittrick Canyon is day use only, and its entrance gate is locked each evening[12]. Salt Basin Dunes are day use only, from sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset[13].
Show visits by month
| Month, 2025 | Recreation visits |
|---|---|
| January | 8,692 |
| February | 16,664 |
| March | 30,339 |
| April | 28,735 |
| May | 17,702 |
| June | 12,543 |
| July | 11,328 |
| August | 8,714 |
| September | 12,459 |
| October | 17,288 |
| November | 15,228 |
| December | 26,731 |
Camping
NPS and Recreation.gov list 13 campgrounds in the park[3]. Pine Springs Campground is the largest listed, with 35 sites, and Dog Canyon Campground has 14 sites[3]. NPS lists nightly individual-site fees from $6 to $20[3]. Camping at the Salt Basin Dunes is prohibited[13].
- Pine Springs Campground, 35 sites[3]
- Dog Canyon Campground, 14 sites
- Pine Top Wilderness Campground, 8 sites
- Mescalero Wilderness Campground, 8 sites
- McKittrick Ridge Wilderness Campground, 8 sites
- Guadalupe Peak Wilderness Campground, 5 sites
- Bush Mountain Wilderness Campground, 5 sites
- Blue Ridge Wilderness Campground, 5 sites
- Marcus Wilderness Campground, 5 sites
- Wilderness Ridge Wilderness Campground, 5 sites
- Shumard Canyon Wilderness Campground, 5 sites
- Tejas Wilderness Campground, 5 sites
- Frijole Horse Corral Campground, 1 sites
Pets and dogs
Under the national NPS pet rule, pets in areas where they are allowed must be in a crate or cage or on a leash of six feet or less, and this applies at all times[14]. Pets are not allowed in public buildings, with service animals excepted[14]. NPS lists pets as permitted on 10 of its 48 things to do, including the Pinery Trail and El Capitan Viewpoint[15]. The park can close more areas to pets[14].
Before you go
- NPS lists a $10 per person entrance fee, and entrance fees and passes cover 1-7 consecutive days of use[6].
- The Annual Entrance pass for this park is listed at $35[7].
- The park accepts the America the Beautiful pass[8]. NPS lists the Resident Annual Pass at $80[9].
- NPS says 8 of its listed things to do require a reservation[15].
- Fees and hours change, so confirm them on the official NPS park page before you go.
Questions people ask
- How much is the entrance fee at Guadalupe Mountains National Park?
- NPS lists $10 per person for visitors 16 and older, good for 1-7 consecutive days[6]. The park Annual Entrance pass is listed at $35[7].
- What is the best time to visit Guadalupe Mountains National Park?
- In 2025 the busiest month was March with 30,339 visits and the quietest was January with 8,692[1]. NPS lists highs of 50F-70F from November to April[10].
Facts and sources
- NPS recreation visits by month, 2025 (chart on this page). NPS Visitor Use Statistics
- NPS recreation visits per year: 2021: 243,291, 2022: 219,987, 2023: 227,340, 2024: 226,134, 2025: 206,423. NPS Visitor Use Statistics
- Campgrounds in Guadalupe Mountains National Park (list on this page). National Park Service
- Visitor centers listed by NPS: 3 (Pine Springs Visitor Center, Dog Canyon Ranger Station, McKittrick Canyon Contact Station). National Park Service
- Guadalupe Mountains National Park is a unit of the U.S. National Park System (designation: National Park) in Texas. National Park Service
- Entrance fee, Per Person: $10. National Park Service
- Annual Entrance - Park: $35. National Park Service
- Guadalupe Mountains National Park accepts the America the Beautiful (interagency) pass for entrance. National Park Service
- America the Beautiful pass prices (table on this page). NPS Passes
- NPS weather and seasons overview for Guadalupe Mountains National Park. National Park Service
- Operating hours, Pine Springs: The Pine Springs area, including the campground, visitor center, trailhead, and associated parking areas are open and accessible all of the time during normal operations. Camping is permitted in designated campsites only. National Park Service
- Operating hours, McKittrick Canyon: McKittrick Canyon is designated as day-use only, with visiting hours from 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. (Mountain Time) daily. Please exit McKittrick Canyon before the posted closing time. The entrance gate on U.S.Highway 62/180... National Park Service
- Operating hours, Salt Basin Dunes: Located on the remote west side of the park, these striking dunes cover nearly 2,000 acres. The Salt Basin Dunes are designated day use only and are accessible for visitation beginning at sunrise to 30 minutes after... National Park Service
- National Park Service rule 36 CFR 2.15: where pets are allowed they must be crated, caged or on a leash no longer than six feet at all times, and pets are not allowed in public buildings, on public transportation or on designated swimming beaches (service... eCFR, 36 CFR 2.15
- NPS lists 48 things to do at Guadalupe Mountains National Park: Drive to Williams Ranch, Overnight on Wilderness Ridge, Guadalupe Peak Viewpoint, Visit the historic Frijole Ranch, The Notch, Hiking off-trail, Backpacking Preparation, Know the Rules,... National Park Service